Squashing the competition
After taking on the best in the world, Innisfail’s Steve Finitsis has turned his attention to teaching the next generation of Far North squash players. Finitsis, who retired last year from the World Circuit having reached number 43 in the world, is now coaching with Squash Vision head coach and founder Marc Forster in Cairns. The pair sent a team of fledgling squash stars to the Mackay Compulsory Junior Qualifier recently.
AFTER taking on the best in the world, Innisfail’s Steve Finitsis has turned his attention to teaching the next generation of Far North squash players.
Finitsis, who retired last year from the world tour having reached number 43 in the world, is now coaching with Squash Vision head coach and founder Marc Forster in Cairns.
The pair sent a team of fledgling squash stars to the Mackay compulsory junior qualifier recently with 12 Cairns crew juniors selected for the 2017 Northern Region Redbacks Team to compete at the Queensland Junior Championships in Nerang next month.
Finitsis said the group had put in the effort to reach the squad.
“A lot of the kids are training four or five times a week now, it is all coming together for them,” Finitsis said.
“Going away to tournaments gives them more experience and knowledge of the game to keep improving.
“There has been an accumulation of juniors and they are now getting to play in tournaments.
“They are always picking up more experience.”
“It is another step up to see how the kids around the state play – the best in Queensland will be there.”
Finitsis said he was happy in retirement, giving all he had to the game.
“Hopefully I can pass on some of what I learnt while I was away on the tour overseas,” he said.
“I am enjoying coaching and looking forward to helping the kids.”
Forster has been coaching for more than 30 years, including Queensland and Australian representative teams.
He was named the 2011 Australian Coach of the Year.